Thursday, 7 p.m.: STL vs. COL

With his complete-game victory against the Giants on Saturday, Aaron Cook (4-1, 4.11 ERA) is 3-1 against NL West rivals after going 2-10 last season. Cook leans on his sinker to induce groundball outs. During the past three years, Cook is winless against St. Louis, though he owns a 3.95 ERA and has surrendered just one home run. Jim Edmonds is 6-for-10 with two home runs and six RBIs against the right-hander. Brad Thompson (3-1, 4.73) has been tagged for seven road home runs in 20 innings. Brad Hawpe is 3-for-4 off Thompson.

Patrick, a third-generation Colorado native, is back for his second stint covering the Rockies. He first covered the team from 2005-2009, helping chronicle “Rocktober” in 2007 and also following the team’s playoff run in 2009.

Nick Groke has worked at The Denver Post since 1997, as a sports reporter, city reporter, entertainment writer and digital editor and producer, among other newsroom posts. He also writes regularly about boxing, soccer, MMA and NASCAR.